Sign in Using FacebookScranton Guide » More About Scranton: Interesting Facts
Interesting Facts
- One of the city's most familiar institutes of higher learning is the University of Scranton. Founded as Saint Thomas College in 1888, it now offers approximately 5,000 students various programs in liberal arts and health-related fields. The university is affiliated with the Jesuits.
- Thanks to its prominent role in iron-forging and railroading, Scranton has earned a lasting presence in American history. Especially in the 19th century, industrialization was running strong – to such an extent, in fact, that a good proportion of the nation's railway tracks were produced in this northeastern Pennsylvania town.
- Not only was Scranton's industrial-era prosperity predicated on reserves of anthracite coal – it was also dependent on the abilities of immigrant workers. These folks, who had gained experience mining in their home countries, brought their expertise to America's fledgling industry. Notable among them were the Irish, the Slavs, and the Welsh, whose early presence is still remembered in area cemeteries.
- Set at the junction of I-380 and I-81, Scranton offers convenient access to a number of large cities. Within a few hours' drive, travelers can be in either Philadelphia or New York; a bit further out, Pittsburgh comes into play. If air travel is on the agenda, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre share an international airport a few miles outside the city limits.
- Along with being one of the state's major urban areas, Scranton is also the seat of Lackawanna County. Carved from Luzerne County in the late 19th century, Lackawanna was once devoted mainly to coal-mining, farming, and textiles. These days, service jobs and manufacturing are more common. The county's name is derived from an Algonquin term that means "where the streams meet."
- Bituminous (or "soft") coal is a widespread variety found abundantly in western Pennsylvania. Anthracite (or "hard") coal is much rarer, and northeastern Pennsylvania is one of the few places it's found. The shiny material, formed from rotting plant material subjected to intense heat and pressure, burns cleaner and hotter than its cousin and is, subsequently, a preferable fuel. Blasting it from the earth is the most familiar way of acquiring anthracite.
- Honeymooners will be pleased to discover that Scranton isn't too far distant from the romance of the Poconos. Although the region isn't distinctly measured out, many of its most recognized resorts can be found southeast of Scranton, between it and Stroudsburg. Within an hour's drive, you can be lounging in a heart-shaped bath or in a tub fashioned after a champagne glass!
- Scranton's rise during America's industrial era was built on power, strength, and machinery. The fossil fuels that helped foster the movement also helped the city gain two of its most familiar nicknames: "Steamtown" (for the prominence of its steam-powered locomotives) and the "Electric City" (for its pioneering, electrified trolley system).
- Baseball lovers thrill to the presence of Scranton's own minor league baseball team, the Red Barons. A farm team for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Barons draw substantial crowds of hometown fans, who can't get enough of America's favorite pastime and the excitement the game provokes.
- According to history, Scranton hasn't always gone by its present name. Past monikers have included Slocum Hollow, Lackawanna Iron Works, Armstrong, and Scrantonia. An added tidbit: The city's population, as of the 2000 census, was 76,415 residents.
Eat Out and Save Money!
